minidisplay port-can't see Dell 2413 monitor

[chasapple]

I searched the forum before posting here, but could not find an answer...

I have the newest version of Mac Mini with latest OS version installed.

I just purchased a new Dell 2413 monitor which has a minidisplay port.

When I connect the monitor and the mini by the minidisplay port, the mini can not 'see' the dell monitor.

The screen display says "there's no signal detected".

I tried rebooting several times.

When I try the mini's HDMI port with the DVI-HDMI adapter connected to the dell's DVI port, then the computer sees the monitor perfectly.

I called Dell and they said that it's not a problem with the monitor's minidisplay port.

So what can I do get the mini to 'see' the monitor when connected to the minidisplay port??

I really want to use the minidisplay port because
I want to use two monitors in extended desktop mode
and retain the daisy chaining ability to connect thunderbolt external devices.

But I don't want to buy two apple TB displays...

thanks,
Charles

 

[CrazyNurse]

I have the 2412 with the new mini and it was plug and play.

I used a new Accel cable MDP>DP. The MDP cables are designed to lock in place.

 

[chasapple]

Thanks for the reply.

Did some more testing.

If I use Dell's provided DP to miniDP cable, and connect from the mini's TB port to the Dells DisplayPort, then the monitor works fine.

It just can't make a direct connection from Dell miniDP port to the mini TB port.
Very odd, it seems to me.
Will ask Dell if this is normal behavior.

The essential question now is, can I still do daisy chaining of TB devices if I can not use the miniDP port of the Dell monitor?

For example:

mini TB port -->TB external HD ---> TB external HD -->Dell monitor
all on one daisy chain?

thanks,
Charles

 

[MJL]

If I remember correctly (just moved and monitor is packed up) the monitor has two miniDP ports - one in and one out.

Have you checked that it is plugged in into the right port and that it is plugged in properly? (been there, done that).

 

[paulrbeers]

Thanks for the reply.

Did some more testing.

If I use Dell's provided DP to miniDP cable, and connect from the mini's TB port to the Dells DisplayPort, then the monitor works fine.

It just can't make a direct connection from Dell miniDP port to the mini TB port.
Very odd, it seems to me.
Will ask Dell if this is normal behavior.

The essential question now is, can I still do daisy chaining of TB devices if I can not use the miniDP port of the Dell monitor?

For example:

mini TB port -->TB external HD ---> TB external HD -->Dell monitor
all on one daisy chain?

thanks,
Charles

Yes because electrically the display port and minidisplayport are the same just a different size (just like mini hdmi and hdmi or mini USB and USB).

 

[Fishrrman]

My guess (and it's _only_ a guess) -- incompatible cable.

Try a _different_ (manufacturer) MDP-to-MDP cable and see what happens.

Or, better yet -- don't waste the money.

You _have_ a "displayport connection that works" -- that being, the MDP-to-DP cable.

If that works (even if the MDP-to-MDP does not), why muck around with anything else?

 

[dolphin842]

The essential question now is, can I still do daisy chaining of TB devices if I can not use the miniDP port of the Dell monitor

You cannot use TB devices regardless of the connection used, as according to the U2413 spec page, the connectors are not Thunderbolt-based.

As for the cable, there are lots of issues with DisplayPort cables, specifically with pin 20 being active.

 

[NeverhadaPC]

If I remember correctly (just moved and monitor is packed up) the monitor has two miniDP ports - one in and one out.

Have you checked that it is plugged in into the right port and that it is plugged in properly? (been there, done that).

THAT was my problem. Who need instruction manuals